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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Lee

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea player ratings as Reds reach FA Youth Cup final

Nottingham Forest set up an FA Youth Cup final clash with Manchester United after an incredibly dramatic comeback 3-1 win over Chelsea at the City Ground.

In-front of a loud Forest fan base Warren Joyce's side kept it until the final five minutes to score all three goals against the Blues.

The Reds were unfortunate not to be ahead at half-time as Detlef Esapa Osong and Dale Taylor consistently caused problems for the visitors.

Read more: Steve Cooper makes City Ground pledge as Forest face crunch double-header

Read more: The 'real plus' for Forest as Steve Cooper prepares for decisive few weeks

Chelsea went ahead midway through the second half when Charlie Webster's shot deflected off a Forest defender and looped over Aaron Bott.

But the hosts showed incredible determination and were fully deserving of their late comeback which started when Esapa Osong teed up Taylor's equaliser on 86 minutes.

Three minutes later Taylor combined with full-back Kyle McAdam whose pull-back was turned home by Esapa Osong, and the U18s' top-scorer grabbed a late third for Forest after being fouled in the penalty area.

Warren Joyce's side proved they were going to be no walkovers early on and had a half-chance to score on eight minutes when Dale Taylor won the ball from Dylan Williams, but Detlef Esapa Osong was unable to get a shot away from the edge of the penalty area.

Chances continued to fall to the Reds at a fast-rate. First Jack Nadin cut inside from the left side of the penalty area and curled a shot wide of Prince Adegoke's up-right, then Sam Collins - again from a distance - struck a first-time effort over the crossbar.

The away side had a rare foray forwards on the half-hour mark when Webster slide a through-ball forwards looking for Jude Soonsup-Bell, but Forest 'keeper Aaron Bott was quick off his line to welcome the ball into his arms.

In the space of three minutes the Reds had two excellent chances to score.

Taylor's stop-and-go move allowed Sam Collins to make an overlapping run behind him into space, although his final cross lacked direction. Taylor, positioned on the right-wing, was involved again moments later when he controlled a loose ball before sliding Josh Powell forwards except this time Esapa Osong couldn't get the slightest of touches needed to put it across the line.

After an encouraging performance on the left-side of midfield, an unfortunate roll of the ankle over a loose ball meant Joyce was forced into a substitution as Nadin had to be carried off on a stretcher.

Soonsup-Bell provided another brief attacking moment for Chelsea - he shot wide - in stoppage time, but Forest should have entered the break ahead when Taylor's shot deflected off Jimi Tauriainen yet Esapa Osong could not convert the rebound.

It was clear that Esapa Osong was keen to build on the seven goals from 13 appearances that makes him the Under-18s' top-socrer, but he was frustrated early in the second-half when - after a brilliant turn - the crossbar came to Adegoke's rescue.

Having proved slow on the ball in the first-half, Chelsea took a further 15 minutes to settle into the game but then began to take some control.

They came close when a Blues corner was headed only as far as skipper Alfie Gilchrist, although his shot though a crowded box was pushed away by Aaron Bott.

But the visitors eventually capitalised on their intense pressure and found the lead when Webster touched the ball inside against his marker and dipped a shot into the far corner just past the hour-mark.

The visitors almost doubled their lead when Mothersille had two chances in quick succession, but Forest remained resolute and competitive.

With the clock heading towards full-time, Forest well and truly stepped up a gear.

Esapa Osong, with four minutes left, won the ball from a Chelsea defender and slid it forwards to Taylor who made no mistake from close range to level the scores.

Then the ever-present Taylor linked up with Kyle McAdam on the left-flank to cause a problem. The overlapping full-back looked up and there was Esapa Osong who, having struggled all night to score, stroked home with an almighty calm to put Forest ahead in stoppage time.

There was still time for more drama though when Esapa Osong darted into the penalty box and was brought down. He stepped up and converted to confirm their spot in the FA Youth Cup final for the first time ever.

Here's how our reporter Matt Lee rated the young Reds....

Aaron Bott: Hardly tested in the first half but came under more pressure after the break. Produced a few good saves but not a lot he could do to keep out Chelsea goal. 7

Zach Abbott: The most central of Forest's three central defenders. Kept Soonsup-Bell quiet for most of the game . 7

Kyle McAdam: Linked up with Taylor to provide the assist for Forest's second-goal. A trademark overlapping wingback. 7

Ben Hammond: Was resolute in defence but took a nasty blow when blocking a Chelsea shot midway through second half. Replaced on 77mins. 7

Pharrell Johnson: Kept composed in a three-man central defence. Worked well alongside Abbot and Hammond. 7

Jamie McDonnell: Skippered the Reds to their first-ever FA Youth Cup final. Vocal throughout and a clear leader. 7

Josh Powell: Had a tame shot saved by Adegoke when it looked like it wasn't going to be Forest's night. Won the flick-on which led to Taylor's equaliser. 8

Sam Collins: Looked a creative engine in central midfield. Had a few shots towards goal but lacked the power and precision needed to score. 7

Detlef Esapa Osong: Looked as though it wasn't going to be his night in the first-half but clicked up a gear in the second half with two goals and an assist. 9

Jack Nadin: Had provided a real spark on the left-side before he had to be taken off after what looked like a nasty roll of the ankle. 7

Dale Taylor: A constant nuisance down Chelsea's left-side (and then right-side in the second-half) resulted in a late equaliser. His touch, strength, power and pace makes him one to watch for the future. 8

Joe Gardner (on 45mins): Filled in for Nadin after his injury. Did what was asked of him and kept posing questions down the wing. 7

Justin Hanks (on 77mins): Came on with Forest chasing an equaliser. Slotted into central defence and stood firm when needed once Forest drew level and then went ahead. 7

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